Jabil Inc.: Q4 FY2026 earnings call
What management said about Q4 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 30 September 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 10 new. The quarter’s numbers.
Key takeaways
- Fourth quarter revenue and earnings: Fourth quarter net revenue was $10.6 billion against $8.3 billion a year earlier. U.S. GAAP operating income was $602 million, and U.S. GAAP diluted EPS was $3.76 against $1.99. Source
- Fiscal 2026 revenue grew 21%: Fiscal 2026 net revenue was $36.0 billion, against $29.8 billion. The CEO cited 21% revenue growth, 40 basis points of core operating margin expansion and more than $1.5 billion of adjusted free cash flow. Source
- Fiscal 2027 guidance covers four measures: Fiscal 2027 guidance covers net revenue, core operating margin, core diluted EPS and adjusted free cash flow, each stated as a single figure or approximate level. Source
- AI infrastructure demand drove growth: The CEO said teams supported significant growth in AI infrastructure and delivered strong performance across several other end markets. Source
- Core operating margin reached 6.4%: Fourth quarter core operating margin was 6.4%, against 6.3% a year earlier. Fiscal 2026 core operating margin was 5.8%, against 5.4%. Source
- Adjusted free cash flow of $1.5 billion: Adjusted free cash flow was $1,532 million for fiscal 2026 against $1,318 million. The company defines it as operating cash flow less net capital expenditures. Source
“We delivered a fourth quarter that exceeded our expectations, closing an exceptional fiscal 2026 in which we grew revenue 21%, expanded core operating margin 40 basis points and generated more than $1.5 billion in adjusted free cash flow”
CEO Mike Dastoor
Guidance
| Area | Period | Figure | Against last quarter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Net revenue Source | first quarter of fiscal 2027 | $10.6 billion to $11.4 billion | New |
| U.S. GAAP operating income Source | first quarter of fiscal 2027 | $481 million to $541 million | New |
| U.S. GAAP diluted EPS Source | first quarter of fiscal 2027 | $2.78 to $3.18 per diluted share | New |
| Core operating income (Non-GAAP) Source | first quarter of fiscal 2027 | $592 million to $652 million | New |
| Core diluted EPS (Non-GAAP) Source | first quarter of fiscal 2027 | $3.80 to $4.20 per diluted share | New |
| Anticipated adjustments Source | first quarter of fiscal 2027 | $24 million amortization of intangibles; $62 million stock-based compensation; $25 million restructuring | New |
| Net revenue Source | fiscal 2027 | $44.5 billion | New |
| Core operating margin (Non-GAAP) Source | fiscal 2027 | 6.1% | New |
| Core diluted EPS (Non-GAAP) Source | fiscal 2027 | $17.55 per diluted share | New |
| Adjusted free cash flow (Non-GAAP) Source | fiscal 2027 | approximately $1.6 billion | New |
What changed from last quarter
- New guidance: Fiscal 2027 guidance given for net revenue, core operating margin, core diluted EPS and adjusted free cash flow. Source
- New guidance: First quarter fiscal 2027 guidance given as ranges for net revenue, U.S. GAAP and core operating income, and U.S. GAAP and core diluted EPS. Source
Fourth quarter and fiscal 2026 results
- Fourth quarter revenue and earnings: Fourth quarter net revenue was $10.6 billion against $8.3 billion a year earlier. U.S. GAAP operating income was $602 million, and U.S. GAAP diluted EPS was $3.76 against $1.99. Source
- Fiscal 2026 revenue grew 21%: Fiscal 2026 net revenue was $36.0 billion, against $29.8 billion. The CEO cited 21% revenue growth, 40 basis points of core operating margin expansion and more than $1.5 billion of adjusted free cash flow. Source
- Fourth quarter exceeded management expectations: Management said the fourth quarter exceeded its expectations, closing a fiscal 2026 that the CEO described as exceptional. Source
- Full-year core earnings per share rose: Fiscal 2026 core diluted EPS was $13.09 against $9.75 a year earlier, and U.S. GAAP diluted EPS was $9.75 against $5.92. Source
- Diluted share count declined: Diluted weighted average shares were 106.0 million in the fourth quarter against 109.2 million a year earlier, and 106.9 million for the year against 110.9 million. Source
Fiscal 2027 guidance and first quarter
- Fiscal 2027 guidance covers four measures: Fiscal 2027 guidance covers net revenue, core operating margin, core diluted EPS and adjusted free cash flow, each stated as a single figure or approximate level. Source
- Growth tied to breadth and capacity: Management tied fiscal 2027 confidence to breadth of growth, expanding customer relationships and committed business supporting new capacity. Source
- First quarter guidance given as ranges: First quarter fiscal 2027 guidance was given as ranges for net revenue, U.S. GAAP and core operating income, and U.S. GAAP and core diluted EPS. Source
- Adjustments excluded from first quarter: Core first quarter figures exclude anticipated amortization of intangibles, stock-based compensation and restructuring charges of $24 million, $62 million and $25 million. Source
“These results reflect the progress we’ve made in moving up the value chain, taking on more of our customers’ engineering and manufacturing complexity while maintaining an asset-light model.”
CEO Mike Dastoor
Growth drivers and end markets
- AI infrastructure demand drove growth: The CEO said teams supported significant growth in AI infrastructure and delivered strong performance across several other end markets. Source
- Other end markets named for fiscal 2027: Automotive, healthcare, energy infrastructure, defense and aerospace, and warehouse and retail automation were named as sources of solid growth alongside accelerating AI demand. Source
- Revenue compared with prior range: Fourth quarter net revenue of $10.6 billion compares with the $9.2 billion to $10.0 billion range given in the third quarter release.
Costs and margins
- Core operating margin reached 6.4%: Fourth quarter core operating margin was 6.4%, against 6.3% a year earlier. Fiscal 2026 core operating margin was 5.8%, against 5.4%. Source
- Gross profit rose on higher revenue: Gross profit was $1,001 million in the fourth quarter against $783 million. Fiscal 2026 gross profit was $3,317 million against $2,646 million. Source
- Restructuring charges declined: Restructuring, severance and related charges were $9 million in the fourth quarter against $37 million, and $97 million for fiscal 2026 against $181 million. Source
- Interest and other costs rose: Interest and other, net was $80 million in the fourth quarter against $58 million, and $296 million for fiscal 2026 against $244 million. Source
“I’m proud of our teams and the stronger business we’re building together.”
CEO Mike Dastoor
Balance sheet and working capital
- Inventories and receivables increased: At August 31, 2026, inventories were $7,413 million and accounts receivable $6,513 million, against $4,681 million and $4,039 million a year earlier. Source
- Payables and accruals rose: Accounts payable was $14,444 million against $7,937 million, and accrued expenses were $6,619 million against $5,185 million. Source
- Prepaid assets and cash balances: Prepaid expenses and other current assets were $4,559 million against $2,010 million. Cash and cash equivalents were $1,739 million against $1,933 million. Source
Cash flow and capital returns
- Operating cash flow of $2.0 billion: Net cash provided by operating activities was $2,002 million for fiscal 2026 against $1,640 million. The cash flow statement shows a $7,984 million inflow from payables, accrued expenses and other liabilities. Source
- Adjusted free cash flow of $1.5 billion: Adjusted free cash flow was $1,532 million for fiscal 2026 against $1,318 million. The company defines it as operating cash flow less net capital expenditures. Source
- Share repurchases and dividends: Payments to acquire treasury stock were $1,060 million for fiscal 2026 against $1,000 million. Dividends paid to stockholders were $35 million against $36 million. Source
- Acquisition cash outflow rose: Cash paid for business and intangible asset acquisitions was $852 million against $392 million. Borrowings under debt agreements were $2,773 million against $1,844 million. Source
Capital spending and capacity
- Capital expenditure rose to $628 million: Acquisition of property, plant and equipment was $628 million for fiscal 2026 against $468 million, with $158 million of proceeds and advances from asset sales. Source
- New capacity brought online: According to the CEO, teams brought critical new capacity online during the year, alongside growth in AI infrastructure. Source
- Property and equipment base grew: Property, plant and equipment, net was $3,005 million at August 31, 2026, against $2,847 million a year earlier. Source
Strategy and portfolio
- Moving up the value chain: The CEO said results reflect progress in moving up the value chain, taking on more customer engineering and manufacturing complexity while keeping an asset-light model. Source
- Hanley Energy Group acquisition noted: A footnote records $8 million of gains on forward foreign exchange contracts in fiscal 2026, in connection with the acquisition of Hanley Energy Group. Source
- Goodwill and intangibles increased: Goodwill and intangible assets, net were $1,828 million at August 31, 2026, against $1,114 million a year earlier. Source
- Plans for investment and shareholder returns: The CEO described plans to sustain profitable growth, invest in capabilities and return substantial capital to shareholders. Source
Earlier plans management reported on
- Ahead: Management said the fourth quarter exceeded its expectations, measured against the expectations set in the third quarter release. Source
Other quarters
Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.